Current Affairs Quiz 20 March 2026

Q1. 

Statement 1: Menstrual leave is provided under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
Statement 2: The Act primarily deals with benefits related to pregnancy and childbirth.

A. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 explains Statement 1
B. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 does not explain Statement 1
C. Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect
D. Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct

Q1. (D)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 does not include menstrual leave; it is limited to maternity-related contingencies (pregnancy, miscarriage, nursing breaks).
• Statement 2 – Correct: The Act is focused on pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care, creating a policy vacuum for recurring conditions like dysmenorrhea.

Q2.  Consider the following statements:

1. It removes the explicit provision for the right to self-perceived gender identity under the 2019 Act.
2. It introduces a definition based only on self-identification without medical intervention.
3. It includes socio-cultural identities such as hijra, kinner, and aravani.
4. It excludes persons with self-perceived gender identities and sexual orientations.
5. It continues to include trans men and trans women irrespective of medical procedures.
6. It removes the category of genderqueer persons from the definition.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only two
B. Only three
C. Only four
D. Only five

Q2. (C)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Removal of Section 4(2) → dilution of self-identification principle (NALSA violation).
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Shift is towards medical board certification, not pure self-ID.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Retains traditional socio-cultural identities.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Explicit exclusion of self-perceived identities → restrictive definition.
• Statement 5 – Incorrect: Trans men/women removed, narrowing inclusivity.
• Statement 6 – Correct: Genderqueer excluded → rollback of 2019 Act inclusiveness.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. Public health is a Concurrent subject in India.
2. Article 21 includes the right to child survival and health.
3. POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses primarily on industrial development.
4. Weak last-mile delivery affects effectiveness of child health programmes.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four

Q3. (B)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: Public health is a State subject (List II) → explains inter-state disparities.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Judicial interpretation expands Article 21 → right to health & survival.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: POSHAN is a nutrition mission, not industrial policy.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Last-mile gaps = key governance failure (ASHA reach, infrastructure, awareness).

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. It was led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to secure access to a public water tank for Dalits.
2. It was a protest against British salt tax policies.
3. It was preceded by the Bole Resolution (1923) permitting access to public places.
4. The Manusmriti was publicly burned during this movement.

How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four

Q4. (C)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Assertion of civil rights (water access) at Chavdar Tank.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Confuses with Dandi March (1930) → colonial vs social oppression distinction.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Bole Resolution (1923) provided legal backing but lacked enforcement.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Manusmriti Dahan (25 Dec 1927) symbolised rejection of caste hierarchy.

Q5. 

Assertion (A): Tuberculosis in India is increasingly recognised as a gendered public health issue.
Reason (R): Women face stigma, limited autonomy, and restricted healthcare access, affecting diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is correct but R is incorrect
D. A is incorrect but R is correct

Q5. (A)

Explanation:

• Assertion – Correct: TB burden is structurally gendered, not just biological.
• Reason – Correct: Gender barriers → delayed diagnosis, treatment discontinuity, worse outcomes.
• Social determinants explain epidemiological disparity.

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